Metra breaks ground on Cicero Station rehab project

Illinois State Senator Martin Sandoval and Cicero Town President Larry Dominick joined Metra Acting Chairman Larry Huggins and Executive Director/CEO Alex Clifford on August 7 at a groundbreaking ceremony for the rehabilitation of Metra's Cicero Station on the BNSF Line.

The $4.5-million project, which is being funded by Metra's share of money from the state bond program, calls for:

• Two new seven-car platforms with tactile warning strips

• A new warming house on the outbound side

• A headhouse and ramp enclosure with a heated waiting area on the inbound side, and a reconstructed ramp to comply with ADA requirements

• High-intensity overhead lighting

• Utility improvements

• Landscaping

• A new parking lot

The station at 25th Place and Cicero was last rebuilt in the 1970s. The effects of time and weather have deteriorated its concrete stairways, ramps and tunnel, as well as the platform canopies. The rehabilitation work is expected to be completed in 18 months.

John Burns Construction of Orland Park was awarded the construction contract for the Cicero Station. John Burns' most recent project for Metra was the construction of the 35th Street station on the Rock Island Line.